Flight Education Access Act
This bill increases federal student loan limits for students in undergraduate flight education and training programs. It also establishes a grant program to support the education of future pilots and to diversify the pilot training workforce.
Specifically, the bill increases the maximum aggregate amount of Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans to $111,000 for dependent students and $137,500 for independent students. It also increases the maximum aggregate amount of Federal Direct Stafford Loans to $65,000.
The bill directs the Department of Education (ED) to collect data and annually calculate the completion rate of each undergraduate flight education and training program at each eligible institution.
The bill also requires the Government Accountability Office to (1) examine and review the implementation of this bill, (2) develop recommendations for ED on any changes to improve the bill's implementation, and (3) submit a report to Congress on its findings and recommendations.
The bill directs ED to award grants to eligible partnerships to (1) support the education of future airline and commercial pilots, (2) diversify the pilot training workforce, and (3) generate interest and support for a career as an airline and commercial pilot. An eligible partnership is a collaboration between at least one workforce partner (e.g., a labor organization representing aircraft pilots or an entity that employs pilots) and at least one educational partner (e.g., a local or state educational agency).
[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 2874 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
118th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 2874
To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to increase the Federal
student loan limits for students in flight education and training
programs.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
April 26, 2023
Mr. Allred (for himself, Mr. Cohen, and Mrs. Chavez-DeRemer) introduced
the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education
and the Workforce
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to increase the Federal
student loan limits for students in flight education and training
programs.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Flight Education Access Act''.
SEC. 2. INCREASE IN FEDERAL STUDENT LOAN LIMITS FOR STUDENTS IN FLIGHT
EDUCATION AND TRAINING PROGRAMS.
Section 455 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1087e)
is amended--
(1) in subsection (p)--
(A) by striking ``Each institution'' and inserting
the following:
``(1) In general.--Each institution'';
(B) in paragraph (1) (as designated by subparagraph
(A)), by inserting before the period at the end the
following: ``and, shall, with respect to Federal Direct
Stafford Loans and Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford
Loans made after the date of enactment of the Flight
Education Access Act to an eligible student (as defined
in subsection (r)), comply with the requirements of
paragraph (2)''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(2) Additional disclosures.--At or prior to the
disbursement of a Federal Direct Stafford Loan or Federal
Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan after the date of enactment
of the Flight Education Access Act to an eligible student (as
defined in subsection (r)), the following shall be disclosed:
``(A) The principal amount of the loan, the stated
interest rate on the loan, the number of required
monthly payments to be made on the loan (which shall be
based on a standard repayment plan), and the estimated
number of months before the start of the repayment
period for the loan (based on the expected date on
which the repayment period is to begin or the deferment
period is to end, as applicable).
``(B) The estimated balance to be owed by the
borrower on such loan (including, if applicable, the
estimated amount of interest to be capitalized) as of
the scheduled date on which the repayment period is to
begin or the deferment period is to end, as applicable,
and an estimate of the projected monthly payment.
``(C) An estimate of the aggregate amount the
borrower will pay for the loan, including the total
amount of monthly payments made over the life of the
loan plus the amount of any charges for the loan, such
as an origination fee.''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(r) Increase in Loan Limits for Students in Flight Education and
Training Programs.--
``(1) In general.--Notwithstanding any other provision of
this Act, the loan limits for Federal Direct Stafford Loans and
Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans made after the date
of enactment of the Flight Education Access Act with respect to
eligible students shall be subject to this subsection.
``(2) Definitions.--In this section:
``(A) Eligible student.--The term `eligible
student' means a student who is enrolled in an eligible
undergraduate flight education and training program.
``(B) Eligible undergraduate flight education and
training program.--The term `eligible undergraduate
flight education and training program' means an
undergraduate flight education and training program
that offers training for applicants seeking a
commercial pilot certificate and--
``(i) during the period beginning on the
date of enactment of the Flight Education
Access Act and ending on the date on which 3
years of data has been collected pursuant to
paragraph (3)(D), that meets all the applicable
requirements of this Act; and
``(ii) beginning on the date on which 3
years of data has been collected pursuant to
paragraph (3)(D), that meets all the applicable
requirements of this Act and has a completion
rate averaged over a 3-year period, as
calculated under paragraph (3)(D) that is equal
to or greater than 70 percent.
``(C) Undergraduate flight education and training
program.--The term `undergraduate flight education and
training program'--
``(i) has the meaning given the term by the
Secretary, in consultation with the
Administrator of the Federal Aviation
Administration;
``(ii) shall include a flight education and
training program offered by an eligible
institution that is accredited by an
accrediting agency recognized by the Secretary,
that--
``(I) awards undergraduate
certificates or associate or bachelor
degrees; and
``(II) provides pilot training in
accordance with part 141 of title 14,
Code of Federal Regulations, or any
successor regulation; and
``(iii) shall not include a flight
education and training program certified under
part 61 of title 14, Code of Federal
Regulations, or any successor regulation.
``(3) Loan limits for eligible undergraduate flight
education and training programs.--
``(A) Limits for eligible students who are
dependent students.--
``(i) Annual limits.--The maximum annual
amount of Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford
Loans an eligible student who is a dependent
student may borrow in any academic year (as
defined in section 481(a)(2)) or its equivalent
shall be--
``(I) in the case of an eligible
student at an eligible institution who
has not successfully completed the
first year of an eligible undergraduate
flight education and training program--
``(aa) $20,500, if such
student is enrolled in such a
program whose length is at
least one academic year in
length; or
``(bb) if such student is
enrolled in such a program that
is less than one academic year,
the maximum annual loan amount
that such student may receive
may not exceed the amount that
bears the same ratio to the
amount specified in item (aa)
as the length of such program
measured in semester,
trimester, quarter, or clock
hours bears to one academic
year;
``(II) in the case of an eligible
student at an eligible institution who
has successfully completed the first
year of an eligible undergraduate
flight education and training program
but has not yet successfully completed
the remainder of such program--
``(aa) $31,500; or
``(bb) if such student is
enrolled in such a program that
is less than one academic year,
the maximum annual loan amount
that such student may receive
may not exceed the amount that
bears the same ratio to the
amount specified in item (aa)
as the length of such program
measured in semester,
trimester, quarter, or clock
hours bears to one academic
year;
``(III) in the case of a student at
an eligible institution who has
successfully completed the first year
and second years of an eligible
undergraduate flight education and
training program but has not yet
successfully completed the remainder of
such program--
``(aa) $32,500; or
``(bb) if such student is
enrolled in such a program that
is less than one academic year,
the maximum annual loan amount
that such student may receive
may not exceed the amount that
bears the same ratio to the
amount specified in item (aa)
as the length of such program
measured in semester,
trimester, quarter, or clock
hours bears to one academic
year; and
``(IV) in the case of a student at
an eligible institution who has
successfully completed the first,
second, and third years of an eligible
undergraduate flight education and
training program but has not yet
successfully completed the remainder of
such program--
``(aa) $22,500; or
``(bb) if such student is
enrolled in such a program that
is less than one academic year,
the maximum annual loan amount
that such student may receive
may not exceed the amount that
bears the same ratio to the
amount specified in item (aa)
as the length of such program
measured in semester,
trimester, quarter, or clock
hours bears to one academic
year.
``(ii) Aggregate limits.--The maximum
aggregate amount of Federal Direct Unsubsidized
Stafford Loans an eligible student who is a
dependent student may borrow shall be $111,000.
``(B) Limits for eligible students who are
independent students.--
``(i) Annual limits.--The maximum annual
amount of Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford
Loans an eligible student who is an independent
student may borrow in any academic year (as
defined in section 481(a)(2)) or its equivalent
shall be--
``(I) in the case of an eligible
student at an eligible institution who
has not successfully completed the
first year of an eligible undergraduate
flight education and training program--
``(aa) $24,500, if such
student is enrolled in such a
program whose length is at
least one academic year in
length; or
``(bb) if such student is
enrolled in such a program that
is less than one academic year,
the maximum annual loan amount
that such student may receive
may not exceed the amount that
bears the same ratio to the
amount specified in item (aa)
as the length of such program
measured in semester,
trimester, quarter, or clock
hours bears to one academic
year;
``(II) in the case of an eligible
student at an eligible institution who
has successfully completed the first
year of an eligible undergraduate
flight education and training program
but has not yet successfully completed
the remainder of such program--
``(aa) $35,500; or
``(bb) if such student is
enrolled in such a program that
is less than one academic year,
the maximum annual loan amount
that such student may receive
may not exceed the amount that
bears the same ratio to the
amount specified in item (aa)
as the length of such program
measured in semester,
trimester, quarter, or clock
hours bears to one academic
year;
``(III) in the case of a student at
an eligible institution who has
successfully completed the first year
and second years of an eligible
undergraduate flight education and
training program but has not yet
successfully completed the remainder of
such program--
``(aa) $37,500; or
``(bb) if such student is
enrolled in such a program that
is less than one academic year,
the maximum annual loan amount
that such student may receive
may not exceed the amount that
bears the same ratio to the
amount specified in item (aa)
as the length of such program
measured in semester,
trimester, quarter, or clock
hours bears to one academic
year; and
``(IV) in the case of a student at
an eligible institution who has
successfully completed the first,
second, and third years of an eligible
undergraduate flight education and
training program but has not yet
successfully completed the remainder of
such program--
``(aa) $27,500; or
``(bb) if such student is
enrolled in such a program that
is less than one academic year,
the maximum annual loan amount
that such student may receive
may not exceed the amount that
bears the same ratio to the
amount specified in item (aa)
as the length of such program
measured in semester,
trimester, quarter, or clock
hours bears to one academic
year.
``(ii) Aggregate limits.--The maximum
aggregate amount of Federal Direct Unsubsidized
Stafford Loans an eligible student who is an
independent student may borrow shall be
$137,500.
``(C) Limits for eligible students receiving
federal direct stafford loans.--
``(i) Annual limits.--The maximum annual
amount of Federal Direct Stafford Loans an
eligible student may borrow in any academic
year (as defined in section 481(a)(2)) or its
equivalent shall, subject to subsection (q)(1),
be--
``(I) in the case of an eligible
student at an eligible institution who
has not successfully completed the
first year of an eligible undergraduate
flight education and training program--
``(aa) $11,000; or
``(bb) if such student is
enrolled in such a program that
is less than one academic year,
the maximum annual loan amount
that such student may receive
may not exceed the amount that
bears the same ratio to the
amount specified in item (aa)
as the length of such program
measured in semester,
trimester, quarter, or clock
hours bears to one academic
year;
``(II) in the case of an eligible
student at an eligible institution who
has successfully completed the first
year of an eligible undergraduate
flight education and training program
but has not yet successfully completed
the remainder of such program--
``(aa) $18,000; or
``(bb) if such student is
enrolled in such a program that
is less than one academic year,
the maximum annual loan amount
that such student may receive
may not exceed the amount that
bears the same ratio to the
amount specified in item (aa)
as the length of such program
measured in semester,
trimester, quarter, or clock
hours bears to one academic
year;
``(III) in the case of a student at
an eligible institution who has
successfully completed the first year
and second years of an eligible
undergraduate flight education and
training program but has not yet
successfully completed the remainder of
such program--
``(aa) $19,000; or
``(bb) if such student is
enrolled in such a program that
is less than one academic year,
the maximum annual loan amount
that such student may receive
may not exceed the amount that
bears the same ratio to the
amount specified in item (aa)
as the length of such program
measured in semester,
trimester, quarter, or clock
hours bears to one academic
year; and
``(IV) in the case of a student at
an eligible institution who has
successfully completed the first,
second, and third years of an eligible
undergraduate flight education and
training program but has not yet
successfully completed the remainder of
such program--
``(aa) $13,000; or
``(bb) if such student is
enrolled in such a program that
is less than one academic year,
the maximum annual loan amount
that such student may receive
may not exceed the amount that
bears the same ratio to the
amount specified in item (aa)
as the length of such program
measured in semester,
trimester, quarter, or clock
hours bears to one academic
year.
``(ii) Aggregate limits.--The maximum
aggregate amount of Federal Direct Stafford
Loans an eligible student may borrow shall be
$65,000.
``(D) Data collection on, and calculation of,
completion rates.--
``(i) In general.--The Secretary shall
annually calculate the completion rate of each
undergraduate flight education and training
program at each eligible institution based on
the information collected under clause (ii).
``(ii) Collection of information.--The
Secretary shall annually collect information,
for each academic year, on--
``(I) the total number of students
enrolled in an undergraduate flight
education and training program at an
eligible institution; and
``(II) those students who complete
such program--
``(aa) who earn a private
pilot's certificate for an
airplane category rating with a
single-engine class rating
while enrolled in such program;
or
``(bb) who at the time of
enrollment, possess such a
certificate.
``(iii) Calculation of completion rate.--To
calculate the completion rate described in
clause (i), the Secretary shall--
``(I) consider as having completed,
those students who earn a private
pilot's certificate for an airplane
category rating with a single-engine
class rating, or who at the time of
enrollment possess such a certificate,
and complete the undergraduate flight
education and training program at an
eligible institution--
``(aa) that predominantly
awards associate degrees,
within 200 percent of the
normal time for completion;
``(bb) that predominantly
awards bachelor degrees, within
150 percent of the normal time
for completion; and
``(cc) that predominantly
awards undergraduate
certificates, within 200
percent of the normal time for
completion;
``(II) consider as not having
completed, those students who earn a
private pilot's certificate for an
airplane category rating with a single-
engine class rating, or who at the time
of enrollment possess such a
certificate, and who transfer out of
the undergraduate flight education and
training program to another program at
the eligible institution that is not an
undergraduate flight education and
training program or to a program that
is not an undergraduate flight
education and training program at
another eligible institution; and
``(III) not include in the
calculation, any student who--
``(aa) is a foreign
national;
``(bb) earns a private
pilot's certificate for an
airplane category rating with a
single-engine class rating and
transfers out of the
undergraduate flight education
and training program to another
undergraduate flight education
and training program at a
different eligible institution;
or
``(cc) is enrolled in an
undergraduate flight education
and training program and never
earns a private pilot's
certificate for an airplane
category rating with a single-
engine class rating.
``(E) Reporting requirements.--
``(i) In general.--The Secretary shall
require each undergraduate flight education and
training program that enrolls students who
receive assistance under this part to provide
the data described in this subparagraph that is
necessary for the completion of the reporting
requirements described in this subparagraph.
``(ii) Form of data collection.--The
Secretary shall prescribe the form and format
of the data required to be provided under this
subparagraph and include, at a minimum, the
following data elements:
``(I) Student data elements
necessary to calculate student
enrollment, persistence, retention,
transfer, and completion rates.
``(II) Information disaggregated by
gender, race, ethnicity, and
socioeconomic status.
``(iii) Report to congress.--Not later than
9 months after the date of enactment of the
Flight Education Access Act and biennially
thereafter, the Secretary shall submit a report
to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor,
and Pensions of the Senate, the Committee on
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the
Senate, the Committee on Education and the
Workforce of the House of Representatives, and
the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure of the House of Representatives,
analyzing and assessing the data collected
pursuant to this subparagraph and conforming to
the requirements of this subparagraph that
shall include the following:
``(I) An assessment of the
effectiveness of the requirements under
this subsection.
``(II) Information on enrollment,
persistence, retention, transfer,
completion, utilization of Federal
financial aid, and unmet financial
need, including information on
applicable institutions.
``(III) Information on the gender,
race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic
status of students enrolled in an
undergraduate flight education and
training program.''.
SEC. 3. GAO REPORT.
Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the
Comptroller General of the United States shall--
(1) examine and review the implementation of this Act and
the amendments made by this Act, which review shall include--
(A) the number of participating institutions
offering undergraduate flight education and training
programs (as defined in section 455(r) of the Higher
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1087e(r)), as amended
by this Act);
(B) the number of students enrolled in such
undergraduate flight education and training programs,
and demographic data regarding such students;
(C) the level of such students' participation in
the loan program under part D of title IV of the Higher
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1087a et seq.),
including demographic data as appropriate; and
(D) feedback from participating institutions
regarding the implementation of this Act and the
amendments made by this Act;
(2) develop recommendations to the Department of Education
on any changes that should be made to improve the
implementation of this Act and the amendments made by this Act;
and
(3) prepare and submit a report on the findings and
recommendations under paragraphs (1) and (2) to--
(A) the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and
Pensions and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate; and
(B) the Committee on Education and the Workforce
and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
of the House of Representatives.
SEC. 4. FLIGHT EDUCATION PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP GRANT.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Educational partner.--The term ``educational partner''
means--
(A) a local educational agency (as defined in
section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education
Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801));
(B) a State educational agency (as defined in
section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education
Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801));
(C) an institution of higher education (as defined
in section 102 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20
U.S.C. 1002)) with an eligible undergraduate flight
education and training program or looking to establish
such a program;
(D) the Bureau of Indian Education;
(E) an Alaska Native Corporation;
(F) a nonprofit organization; or
(G) a consortium of at least 2 of the entities
described in subparagraphs (A) through (F).
(2) Eligible partnership.--The term ``eligible
partnership'' means a collaboration between at least 1
workforce partner and at least 1 educational partner.
(3) Eligible undergraduate flight education and training
program.--The term ``eligible undergraduate flight education
and training program'' has the meaning given the term in
section 455(r) Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
1087e(r)).
(4) High-need local educational agency.--The term ``high-
need local educational agency'' has the meaning given the term
in section 200 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
1021).
(5) Minority-serving institution.--The term ``minority-
serving institution'' means an institution described in any of
paragraphs (1) through (7) of section 371(a) of the Higher
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1067q(a)).
(6) Secretary.--Except as otherwise provided, the term
``Secretary'' means the Secretary of Education.
(7) Workforce partner.--The term ``workforce partner''
means--
(A) a labor organization representing aircraft
pilots;
(B) an entity that trains pilots;
(C) an entity that employs pilots;
(D) a trade association, nonprofit organization, or
other entity representing the interests of an entity
described in subparagraph (A), (B), or (C); or
(E) a consortium of at least 2 of the entities
described in subparagraphs (A) through (D).
(b) Grant Program Authorized.--The Secretary, in consultation with
Secretary of Transportation, shall award grants to eligible
partnerships to--
(1) support the education of future airline and commercial
pilots;
(2) diversify the pilot training workforce by increasing
the number and percentage of pilots from underrepresented or
non-traditional populations, low-income populations, and rural
populations; and
(3) generate interest and support for a career as an
airline and commercial pilot.
(c) Applications.--An eligible partnership that desires to receive
a grant under this section shall submit an application to the Secretary
at such time, in such manner, and accompanied by such information as
the Secretary may require.
(d) Priorities.--
(1) In general.--In awarding grants under this section, the
Secretary shall ensure that not less than 25 percent of the
funds made available to carry out this section for any fiscal
year are awarded to eligible partnerships that consist of--
(A) a minority-serving institution with an eligible
undergraduate flight education and training program or
looking to establish such a program;
(B) a high-need local educational agency; or
(C) a consortium of entities described in
subparagraphs (A) and (B).
(2) Exception.--Notwithstanding paragraph (1), the
Secretary shall reduce the amount of funds made available under
such paragraph if the Secretary does not receive a sufficient
number of applications of sufficient quality.
(e) Uses of Funds.--An eligible partnership that receives a grant
under this section shall use the grant funds for 1 or more of the
following activities:
(1) A scholarship program for current or prospective flight
education students at an eligible undergraduate flight
education and training program.
(2) Operating an outreach or development program in a local
educational agency, particularly a high-need local educational
agency, for elementary school, middle school, and high school
students to--
(A) introduce such students to the pilot profession
and aviation experiences; and
(B) recruit students from low-income, rural,
underrepresented, or non-traditional populations to the
aviation profession.
(3) Provide startup grants to institutions of higher
education, particularly minority-serving institutions, to start
or expand aviation programs that serve underrepresented
communities.
(f) Matching Funds.--
(1) Match.--In order to receive a grant under this section,
an eligible partnership shall demonstrate that the workforce
partner in the partnership will provide matching funds, in cash
or through an in-kind contribution, from Federal, State, local,
or private sources, in an amount equal to 25 percent of the
funds provided under such grant.
(2) Exception.--The Secretary may waive the matching funds
requirement under paragraph (1), on a case-by-case basis, upon
a showing of exceptional circumstances or financial
difficulties in the eligible partnership.
(g) Technical Assistance.--The Secretary, in consultation with the
Secretary of Transportation, shall reserve not more than 5 percent of
the funds made available to carry out this section to provide technical
assistance to--
(1) applicants seeing to become an eligible partnership;
and
(2) eligible partnerships that have been awarded grants
under this section.
(h) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to carry out this section $40,000,000 for each of the
fiscal years 2023 through 2027.
SEC. 5. RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.
Nothing in this Act, or an amendment made by this Act, shall be
construed to repeal, amend, supersede, or affect any pilot training or
qualification provision under existing law.
SEC. 6. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of
Education, in addition to any amounts otherwise available, to carry out
the amendments made by this Act $3,000,000 for each of fiscal years
2023 through 2033. Such funds shall be available until expended.
<all>
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.
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